San Antonio Commanders start road swing at San Diego

In 11 years as a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Commanders general manager Daryl Johnston never experienced a four-game road trip.

Commanders coach Mike Riley has worked in the NFL, NCAA, Canadian Football League and even the World League for more than 40 years, and he, too, couldn’t recall an away swing of this length.

Due to scheduling conflicts at the Alamodome, the Commanders (1-1) will be on the road for four consecutive weeks, beginning with a matchup against the San Diego Fleet (1-1) at 7 p.m. Sunday. San Antonio and San Diego are meeting for the second time in three weeks after the Commanders beat the Fleet 15-6 in their opener Feb. 9.

“That is kind of an unusual thing, to be a month straight on the road,” Riley said. “We have a lot of faith that these guys will play with a lot of energy and compete. Every part of my time with them, from the start of training camp, even minicamp, they have been very eager to play football, and I don’t think that will be any different on the road.”

Johnston said the experience will be interesting and challenging, but he’s excited to see how the Commanders respond.

San Antonio Commanders De'Marcus Ayers (14) and Makale Mckay (82) prematurely celebrate a touch down first down during the first half of play on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

San Antonio Commanders De'Marcus Ayers (14) and Makale Mckay (82) prematurely celebrate a touch down first down during the first half of play on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contributor

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contributor

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San Antonio Commanders De'Marcus Ayers (14) and Makale Mckay (82) prematurely celebrate a touch down first down during the first half of play on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

San Antonio Commanders De'Marcus Ayers (14) and Makale Mckay (82) prematurely celebrate a touch down first down during the first half of play on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez / Contributor

San Antonio Commanders start road swing at San Diego

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Home teams are 6-2 through two weeks of the Alliance season, though the Commanders lost 37-29 against the Orlando Apollos last week in the Alamodome.

“It’s something I’ve never gone through, but I’m excited to go through it with this group of guys,” Commanders quarterback Logan Woodside said. “I think we’ll handle it really well. It’ll be good for us.”